Reproductive biology and condition factor of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822) in Lake Koka, Ethiopia

The study was conducted to investigate the breeding season, sex ratio, size at maturation, fecundity and condition factor of African catfish Clarias gariepinus in Lake Koka. A total of 754 fish specimens were collected from October 2020 to August 2021. Total length and weight were measured and sexes were identified and gonad maturity levels were recorded. The sex ratio of African catfish in different size classes was similar to that of a hypothetical 1:1 ratio. The length at first maturity (L50) was 51.8 cm in total length. The mean Fulton’s condition factor of female African catfish ranged from 0.65 ± 0.05 – 0.71 ± 0.14, while the males ranged from 0.62 ± 0.04 – 0.7 ± 0.11. The Fulton’s condition factor was significantly higher in August for females than in the rest of the sampling months. The highest ripe gonads were recorded in the rainy season and the lowest was in the dry season, with the percentage of ripe gonads being 27.5%, while the males showed similarly extended maturity patterns among seasons. Fisheries management for African catfish should therefore take into account the estimated L50 value and the main breeding season to sustain the fishery and benefits the fishermen

Longitudinal river zonation in the tropics: examples of fish and caddisflies from endorheic Awash river, Ethiopia

Primary Research PaperSpecific concepts of fluvial ecology are well studied in riverine ecosystems of the temperate zone but poorly investigated in the Afrotropical region. Hence, we examined the longitudinal zonation of fish and adult caddisfly (Trichoptera) assemblages in the endorheic Awash River (1,250 km in length), Ethiopia. We expected that species assemblages are structured along environmental gradients, reflecting the pattern of large-scale freshwater ecoregions. We applied multivariate statistical methods to test for differences in spatial species assemblage structure and identified characteristic taxa of the observed biocoenoses by indicator species analyses. Fish and caddisfly assemblages were clustered into highland and lowland communities, following the freshwater ecoregions, but separated by an ecotone with highest biodiversity. Moreover, the caddisfly results suggest separating the heterogeneous highlands into a forested and a deforested zone. Surprisingly, the Awash drainage is rather species-poor: only 11 fish (1 endemic, 2 introduced) and 28 caddisfly species (8 new records for Ethiopia) were recorded from the mainstem and its major tributaries. Nevertheless, specialized species characterize the highland forests, whereas the lowlands primarily host geographically widely distributed species. This study showed that a combined approach of fish and caddisflies is a suitable method for assessing regional characteristics of fluvial ecosystems in the tropicsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Food Handlers at Prison, East and West Gojjam, Ethiopia

Introduction. One of the top ten major public health problems in developing countries including Ethiopia is the intestinal parasitic infection. Most of the time, intestinal parasitic infections do not show clinical signs and symptoms and also have a number of potential carriers, such as food handlers, which makes it too difficult to eradicate and control. Objective. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence and associated factors of intestinal parasitic infection among food handlers at prison, East and West Gojjam, Ethiopia, 2017. Methods. An institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted at East and West Gojjam prison. A total of 416 study participants, with a response rate of 82.7%, were included in the study for both stool exam and questioner. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and the sample was collected and examined based on the standard parasitological procedure. Epi data Version 3.1 was used to enter data, and SPSS version 20 was used to analyze the data. Results. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in the present study was 61.9%. The most prevalent parasite was A. lumbricoides (157 (45.6%)). Protozoan infection was higher than helminth infection. Multiple intestinal infections were identified; among study participants, 34.6% had double infection. The most significant associated factors of intestinal parasitic infections were fingernail status, residence, information about food contamination related to intestinal parasitic infection, income, and handwashing before having contact with food and after toilet with water only. Conclusions. A high proportion of intestinal parasitic infection was detected among food handlers working at East and West Gojjam prison. Training must be given to the food handlers on personal hygienic conditions (finger trimming, handwashing after toilet and before having contact with food with water and soap, etc.)

Nasal colonization and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Staphylococcus aureus among pre-school children in Ethiopia

Abstract Background Staphylococcus aureus is one of the bacterium that can asymptomatically colonize the human upper respiratory tract (i.e. nose and throat). Carriage of S. aureus, including methicillin resistant S. aureus, is common to children. The aim at this study was to determine the nasal colonization, associated factors and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of S. aureus isolates among pre-school children in Debre Markos town. Methods Institutional-based cross sectional study was conducted. A total of 400 nasal swabs were collected from pre-school children from April to June, 2015 following standard microbiological methods. MRSA was detected using both Cefoxitin (30 μg) and Oxacillin (6 μg) (Oxoid Ltd. England) discs in combination and associated factors were assessed using self-administered pretested questionnaires, which were delivered to the children’s parents/guardians. Statistical analysis of the data (logistic regression) was done using SPSS V-22. Results A total of 52 S. aureus isolate was recovered from 400 nasal swap samples. The prevalence of S. aureus among pre-School children was 13% (52/400). The susceptibility patterns of the isolates to commonly used antibiotics were: 84.62% to Chloramphenicol, 69.2% to Doxycycline and Tetracycline, 92.3% to Kanamycin, 7.7% to Ampicillin and Penicillin, 86.6% to Ceftriaxone, and 76.9% to Augmentin. All the isolates were sensitive to Oxacillin and Cefoxitin, mean there was no methicillin resistant S. aureus isolate, and also sensitive to Gentamycin, Erythromycin and Clindamycin. The main associated factors of nasal colonization of S. aureus in the study area was, having recurrent acute otitis media (AOM) [AOR = 2.37 (1.11, 5.06)], Children admission in hospital [AOR = 1.96 (1.03, 3.73)] and cough [AOR = 2.09 (1.08, 4.09)]. Conclusions The prevalence of S. aureus nasal colonization among pre-school children was relatively low in absence of MRSA. Factors like; recurrent AOM, hospital admission and cough were significantly associated with S. aureus nasal colonization. Most of the isolates were resistant to β-lactam drugs and sensitive to drugs like Gentamycin, Erythromycin, Clindamycin, Chloramphenicol, Doxycycline, Tetracycline, Kanamycin and Augmentin

Micronutrient intake status and associated factors in children aged 6–23 months in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract Micronutrient deficiency has serious consequences across all ages worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Poor micronutrient (MN) consumption among children remains a major public health concern in many countries. Low literacy, poor diets, a lack of access to healthcare, and insufficient agricultural productivity made proper micronutrient consumption difficult, despite numerous interventions. Thus, this research aimed to determine the adequate intake of MNs among 6–23 months of age children in sub-Saharan Africa. Initially, a two-stage stratified sampling technique was applied for the selected recent demographic and health survey data. The data source was the (2015–2020) standard demographic and health surveys (DHS) among 20 Sub-Saharan African countries. Micronutrient intake status (the outcome variable) was determined using either food rich in Vitamin A or iron consumed within the previous 24 hr or multiple micronutrient powder or iron supplementation within the previous 07 days or vitamin A supplementation or deworming within 06 months. A generalized linear mixed model based on Modified Poisson regression and robust error variance was used to identify factors associated with children’s adequate micronutrient intake. An adjusted Prevalence Ratio (aPR) with a 95% confidence interval was used to identify factors, strength and direction of the association. The total samples of 65,187 children aged 6–23 months were included. Of all, 73.99% (95% CI: 73.65, 74.32) of children had adequate intake of micronutrients. Maternal education (primary (aPR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.06) and secondary (aPR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.09)), father’s education (primary (aPR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.05) and secondary (aPR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.06)), occupational status of the mother (aPR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.06), pregnancy interval (aPR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95, 0.99), exclusive breastfeeding status (aPR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.82, 0.85), birthweight (average (aPR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.05) and larger than average (aPR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.06)), multiple/twin at birth (aPR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.91, 0.98), child age (aPR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.19, 1.25), number of children in home (aPR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.03), ANC utilization (aPR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.15, 1.27), place of birth (AOR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.91, 0.95), rich households (aPR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.05), and countries from Central (aPR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.09), South Africa (aPR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.11), and West African (aPR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92, 0.99) were associated with level of micronutrients intake status. The prevalence of adequate intake of MN was considerable. Variables at the child, family and community levels were associated with adequate intake of micronutrients. Consequently, stakeholders’ involvement is required in healthcare and community settings

Prevalence of high bloodpressure, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome and their determinants in Ethiopia: Evidences from the National NCDs STEPS Survey, 2015

<div><p>The prevalence of diabetes, dyslipidemias, and high blood pressure is increasing worldwide especially in low and middle income countries. World Health Organization has emphasized the importance of the assessment of the magnitude of the specific disease in each country. We determined the prevalence and determinant factors of high blood pressure, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemias and metabolic syndrome in Ethiopia. A community based survey was conducted from -April to June 2015 using WHO NCD STEPS instrument version 3.1. 2008. Multistage stratified systemic random sampling was used to select representative samples from 9 regions of the country. A total of 10,260 people aged 15–69 years participated in the study. Blood pressure (BP) was measured for 9788 individuals. A total of 9141 people underwent metabolic screening. The prevalence of raised blood pressure (SBP ≥140 and/or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg) was 15.8% (16.3% in females and 15.5% in males). The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (FBS ≥ 126 mg /dl) including those on medication was 3.2% (3.5% males and 3.0% females). The prevalence of impaired fasting glucose was 9.1% with ADA criteria and 3.8% with WHO criteria. Hypercholesterolemia was found in 5.2%, hypertriglyceridemia in 21.0%, high LDL cholesterol occurred in 14.1% and low HDL cholesterol occurred in 68.7%. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome using IDF definition was 4.8% (8.6% in females and vs. 1.8% in males). Advanced age, urban residence, lack of physical exercise, raised waist circumference, raised waist hip ratio, overweight or obesity, and total blood cholesterol were significantly associated with raised blood pressure (BP) and diabetes mellitus. Increased waist- hip ratio was an independent predictor of raised blood pressure, hyperglycemia and raised total cholesterol. Our study showed significantly high prevalence of raised blood pressure, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in Ethiopia. Community based interventions are recommended to control these risk factors.</p></div

Prevalence of raised total cholesterol level and metabolic syndrome, and their determinants WHO STEPS survey, Ethiopia 2015.

<p>Prevalence of raised total cholesterol level and metabolic syndrome, and their determinants WHO STEPS survey, Ethiopia 2015.</p

Mean and SD values of total cholesterol, blood glucose, diastolic and systolic blood pressure, Ethiopia NCD steps, 2015.

<p>Mean and SD values of total cholesterol, blood glucose, diastolic and systolic blood pressure, Ethiopia NCD steps, 2015.</p

Prevalence of raised blood pressure, hyperglycemia and their determinants, WHO STEPs study, 2015, Ethiopia.

<p>Prevalence of raised blood pressure, hyperglycemia and their determinants, WHO STEPs study, 2015, Ethiopia.</p